With Windows 7, you can more easily share files and printers across a network via the new HomeGroups feature. HomeGroups lets you connect to files and

printers with a group password if all the PCs have Windows 7. Windows can share a printer with other PCs on your network, so everyone in your household can connect as long as your printer and PCs are on. The advantage of sharing a printer is that it works with any USB printer. The host computer always has to be powered up, otherwise the rest of the network won’t be able to access the shared printer

1. Go to Control Panel and click on Network and Sharing Center
2. Then click on the Advanced sharing settings
3. Next click the chevron to expand the current network profile
4. Under File and printer sharing, choose Turn on file and printer sharing
5. Then click Save changes
6. Now you need to share the printer
7. For sharing printer go to Start and open Devices and Printers
8. Right-click the printer you want to share, and then click Printer properties
9. Click the Sharing tab, and choose the Share this printer check box
10. If you want to add a network printer then go to Start and open Devices and Printers
11. Then click Add a printer
12. Just click Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer, click the shared printer, click Next, and follow the instructions on the screen
13. Once the printer will be successfully installed, you can use it

Printers must have a network port or wireless connection that allows them to connect directly to the network